Campaign email: tara4boe@gmail.com
Facebook: facebook.com/TaraBattagliaBOE
Age: 43
Employment: Current member of the Carroll County Board of Education
Education: I am a current college student through University of Maryland Global Campus
Why are you running for the school board?
To keep communities together, more drug education, and consistency in curriculum.
What makes you a good candidate for the board?
I am a parent of three children that attend Carroll County Public Schools. I feel it is important to have a parent perspective on education for our children. I have worked in the private sector, and see firsthand what our children are not being taught to be productive citizens in the real world. As parents, we hear about our children being career and college ready. We really need to do just that by making sure our children know how to read, write, and understand math. I have served almost four year now. I voted to modernize our Career & Technology Center, voted to replace East Middle School, and hired our new superintendent.
Please name a public leader you admire and explain why.
Queen Elizabeth. I know she was not an American, but she served to the best of her ability, and put the people of her country first.
What is the most important issue facing your school board, and what would you do about it if elected?
Our students are dealing with so many social issues, and much of that is due to social media. I have addressed our current Bring Your Own Device policy, and it will be discussed more in October. I also want to make sure we are advocating continuously about appropriate social media behaviors. This will also require help from our community to show good online behavior as well. The old saying still remains true, if you can’t say something nice don’t say anything at all.
How concerned are you about school safety, and what if anything should be done to improve it?
Carroll County Public Schools has done an incredible job implementing school safety regulations from the State of Maryland. We have an amazing partnership with the Carroll County Sheriff’s Office, as well as our elected law enforcement leader, Sheriff Jim DeWees. Our SRO (school resource officer) program is one that has had national recognition. Our SRO’s are valued and appreciated in our schools, and make connections with our students.
Do you have any concerns about the way history is taught in your district’s schools, and if so, what are they?
There are some concerns, but those are on a case-by-case basis. All history should be taught. The good, the bad, the ugly, and the beautiful. Opinion about history do not belong in the classroom, only the facts.
Do you think there are circumstances when books should be removed from school libraries, and if so, what kind of books should be removed?
All material should be age-appropriate. A kindergarten age child should not be taught about sex, sex acts, or to question who they are. Movies have ratings. Music has ratings. Video games have ratings. Schools would not show a Rated R movie in middle school. All curriculum should be age-appropriate and previewed by groups that include parents before displayed or taught.
